Thiophosphine compounds and methods of making polymerizable compositions containing them and their use for making ophthalmic lenses

ABSTRACT

Thiophosphine compounds (also named phosphine sulfide compounds) and their use for making polymerizable compositions which after polymerization give optically transparent articles, such as ophthalmic lenses, having improved mechanical and optical properties and in particular having an improved UV cut.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/457,042 filed Mar. 24, 2003, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to thiophosphine compounds (also named phosphine sulfide compounds) and their use for making polymerizable compositions which after polymerisation give optically transparent articles, such as ophthalmic lenses, having improved mechanical and optical properties and in particular having an improved UV cut.

The use of polymerizable compositions comprising thiourethane monomers is well known for making ophthalmic lenses. The thus obtained ophthalmic lenses exhibit a unique combination of mechanical and optical properties.

Nevertheless, there is still a need for improved materials for making ophthalmic lenses and in particular for materials having an improved UV cut, without adversely affecting the other required mechanical and optical properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found that the above goal can be achieved by providing a polymerizable composition which comprises:

-   -   a) at least one first polymerizable component selected from the         group consisting of monomers having at least two functional         groups selected from the cyanato, isocyanato, thiocyanato,         isothiocyanato, (meth)acryloyl, thio(meth)acryloyl, episulfides         radicals and     -   b) at least one second polymerizable component selected from:         -   i) thiophosphine monomers of formula:     -   wherein X represents —SH or     -    with R₁ being H or —CH₃, R and R′ are, independently from each         other, an alkyl radical, an alkoxy radical or a phenyl radical         which may be substituted with one or more alkyl and/or alkoxy         groups, n is an integer from 0 to 4, n′ is an integer from 0 to         5, x is an integer from 0 to 2 and y is an integer from 1 to 5         with the proviso that y+n is an integer from 1 to 5; and     -   ii) prepolymers resulting from the polymerization of at least         one of said thiophosphine monomers of formula (I) and at least         one of said first polymerizable component and preferably having         a number average molecular weight ranging from 1 000 to 10 000.

The first polymerizable components of the compositions of the present invention can be monomers selected from the group consisting of polycyanate, polyisocyanate, polythiocyanate, polyisothiocyanate, poly(meth)acrylate, polythio(meth)acrylate, polyepisulfide and mixtures thereof.

The polycyanate and polythiocyanate monomers used in the present invention can be any polycyanate and polythiocyanate monomers having two or more cyanate or thiocyanate functions per molecule, preferably two or three and more preferably two. The polyisocyanate or polyisothiocyanate monomers included in the polymerizable compositions according to the invention may be any polyisocyanate or polyisothiocyanate monomer having two or more isocyanate or isothiocyanate functions per molecule, preferably two or three isocyanate or isothiocyanate functions and more preferably two isocyanate or isothiocyanate functions.

The preferred polyisocyanate or isothiocyanate monomers are those having the formulae:

-   -   wherein     -   R₂ is independently H or a C₁-C₅ alkyl group, preferably CH₃ or         C₂H₅;     -   R₃ is H, an halogen, preferably Cl or Br, or a C₁-C₅ alkyl         group, preferably CH₃ or C₂H₅;     -   Z is —N═C═A, with A being O or S;     -   a is an integer ranging from 1 to 4, b is an integer ranging         from 2 to 4 and a+b≦6; and     -   c is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 6.

Among the preferred polyisocyanate or isothiocyanate monomers there may be cited tolylene diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, phenylene diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, ethylphenylene diisocyanate, isopropyl phenylene diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, dimethylphenylene diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, diethylphenylene diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, diisopropylphenylene diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, trimethylbenzyl triisocyanate or triisothiocyanate, xylylene diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, benzyl triiso(thio)cyanate, 4,4′-diphenyl methane diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, naphtalene diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, bis(isocyanate or diisothiocyanate methyl) cyclohexane, hexamethylene diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate and dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate.

The poly(meth)acrylate monomers included in the polymerizable compositions according to the invention can be any poly(meth)acrylate monomer commonly used for making ophalmic lenses and in particular, di, tri or tetra(meth)acrylate monomers. Preferably, the poly(meth)acrylate monomers are di(meth)acrylate. Among the preferred di(meth)acrylate there may be cited alkyleneglycol di(meth)acrylates, preferably ethyleneglycol di(meth)acrylate and propyleneglycol di(meth)acrylate, polyalkyleneglycol di(meth)acrylates, preferably polyethyleneglycol di(meth)acrylates and polybutyleneglycol di(meth)acrylates, neopentylglycol di(meth)acrylate, and derivates of bisphenol-A di(meth)acrylates.

The bisphenol-A di(meth)acrylates compounds may include the compounds of the formula:

wherein R₁ is H or CH₃ and n₁+n₂ has a mean value in the range of 0 to 40.

Preferred compounds having the above-mentioned formula are those for which R₁ is CH₃ and {overscore (n₁+n₂)}=2,6 (EBADMA), {overscore (n₁+n₂)}=4 (DBADMA), {overscore (n₁+n₂)}=10 (OBADMA) and {overscore (n₁+n₂)}=30.

The polythio(meth)acrylate monomers included in the polymerizable compositions of the invention can be any poly(meth)acrylate monomer commonly used for making ophtalmic lenses. In particular, said polythio(meth)acrylate monomers may have the following formula:

wherein: R₄ is a linear or branched, polyvalent aliphatic hydrocarbon radical, or a polyvalent aromatic group, directly linked to the sulphur atom of the thio(meth)acrylate groups with an aromatic ring or by means of a linear alkyl chain, said R₄ radical being able to include in its chain one or more groups selected amongst —O—, —S— and carbonyl group, R₁ is hydrogen or —CH₃, and k is an integer from 2 to 6, preferably from 2 to 3.

When R₄ is a divalent radical, a preferred class of thio(meth)acrylate monomers includes:

-   -   a) the monomers of the formula:         wherein Y is a linear or branched C₂-C₁₂ alkylene group, a         C₃-C₁₂ cycloalkylene group, a C₆-C₁₄ arylene group or a C₇-C₂₆         alkarylene group, where the Y carbon chains can be interrupted         by one or more oxygen and/or sulfur atoms and R₁ is hydrogen or         a methyl group,     -   b) the monomers of the formula:     -   wherein R₁ and Y are defined as above, and k′ is an integer from         1 to 10, preferably 1 to 6, and the mixtures thereof.

Preferred divalent Y radicals may include:

-   -   a) the radicals of the formulae:     -   —(CH₂)_(j)— where j is an integer from 2 to 8,     -   —(CH₂CH₂O)_(y′)CH₂CH₂— where y′ is an integer from 1 to 4,     -   —(CH₂CH₂S)_(z)CH₂CH₂— where z is an integer from 1 to 4,     -   —(CH₂)_(u′)(S(CH₂)_(v′))_(x′)S—(CH₂)_(w′) where x′ is 0 or 1 and         u′, v′, w′ are integers from 2 to 6,     -   b) the radicals of the formula:     -   wherein R₅ and R₆ are C₁-C₅ alkyl radicals;     -   c) the radicals of the formula:         wherein R₇ and R₈ are linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkylene groups,         that can include one or more —O—, —S— or carbonyl groups in         their chains and X′ is selected from the C₁-C₅ alkyl radicals         and halogens, and p is an integer from 0 to 4;         more particularly the radicals of the formula:     -   wherein u and v are integers from 1 to 4;     -   d) the radicals of the formula:         wherein R₉ and R₁₀ are linear or branched C₁-C₅ alkyl radicals,         that can include in their chains one or more —O—, —S— or         carbonyl groups and r and s are 0 or 1.

Divalent monomers of the formula (II) are disclosed, inter alia, in EP-A-273,661, EP-A-273,710, EP-A-384,725.

The monomers of formulae (III) and (IV) are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,379.

The trivalent R₄ radicals of the monomers of formula (II) may include C₃-C₁₀ alkyltriyl radicals that can include in their chains one or more —O—, —S— or carbonyl groups, trivalent alkylaryl radicals the alkyl chains of which can include one or more —S— or —O— groups, and trivalent aryl groups.

The trivalent R₄ radicals or higher valency radicals may include:

The thio(meth)acrylate monomers being recommended in the present invention include:

bis[(meth)acryloylthiophenyl]sulfide, where R₁ is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

The polyepisulfide monomers included in the polymerizable compositions according to the invention are preferably diepisulfide monomers and are disclosed, for instance, in the following patents: EP 942 027, U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,504, EP 761 665.

Preferably, the first polymerizable component or components of the composition of the present invention represent 25 to 70% by weight based on the total weight of the polymerizable components present in the composition. More preferably, said first polymerizable component or components represent 30 to 50% by weight.

Besides first polymerizable components, one other essential component of the polymerisable compositions of the present invention is the second component (b).

As previously indicated this second component can be a thiophosphine monomer of formula (I) or a mixture thereof.

Preferred thiosphosphine monomers of formula I are those in which y=1.

Also preferred thiophosphine monomers of formula I are those in which n and n′ are equal to zero.

Also preferably X represents —SH.

As previously mentioned R and R′ may represent alkyl, alkoxy or phenyl radicals which may be substituted with one or more alkyl and/or alkoxy groups.

Typically, alkyl radicals are C₁-C₆ alkyl radicals, such as methyl, ethyl, butyl, preferably methyl, and alkoxy radicals are C₁-C₆ alkoxy radicals such as methoxy, ethoxy and propoxy radicals.

The most preferred thiophosphine monomers are:

Preferably, the thiophosphine monomers represent 1 to 25%, preferably 1 to 15%, by weight based on the total weight of the polymerizable components present in the composition. More preferably, the thiophosphine monomers represent 1 to 10% by weight.

The second polymerizable components of the compositions of the invention can also be prepolymers resulting from the polymerization of at least one thiophosphine monomer of formula (I) and at least one of said first polymerizable component.

Preferably, said first polymerizable components used for making said prepolymers are selected from the group consisting of dicyanate, dithiocyanate, diisocyanate, diisothiocyanate, di(meth)acrylate, dithio(meth)acrylate and diepisulfide monomers.

Preferably, prepolymers of the present invention have a number average molecular weight Mn ranging from 1 000 to 10 000.

Preferably, said prepolymers represent up to 40% by weight based on the total weight of the polymerizable components present in the composition, preferably less than 30% by weight.

In addition to said first and second polymerizable components, the compositions of the invention may comprise one or more additional polymerizable monomers different from first and second components. Such additional monomers may be selected from polythiols and polyvinyl monomers.

Preferably, at least one additional monomer is selected from polythiols.

The polythiol monomers included in the polymerizable compositions according to the invention are well known in the art and can be represented with the formula R″(SH)_(n″), wherein n″ is an integer of 2 or more, preferably from 2 to 5, and R″ is an aliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic radical.

The polythiol monomers are preferably dithiol, trithiol or tetrathiol monomers.

These polythiol compounds are well known in the art and are disclosed, among others, in EP 394,495.

The dithiols useful in the present invention may include 9,10-anthracenedimethanethiol, 1,11-undecanedithiol, 4-ethyl-benzene-1,3-dithiol, 1,2-ethanedithiol, 1,8-octanedithiol, 1,18-octadecanedithiol, 2,5-dichlorobenzene-1,3-dithiol, 1,3-(4-chlorophenyl)propane-2,2-dithiol, 1,1-cyclohexanedithiol, 1,2-cyclohexanedithiol, 1,4-cyclohexanedithiol, 1,1-cycloheptanedithiol, 1,1-cyclopentanedithiol, 4,8-dithioundecane-1,11-dithiol, dithiopentaerythritol, dithiothreitol, 1,3-diphenylpropane-2,2-dithiol, 1,3-dihydroxy-2-propyl-2′,3′-dimercaptopropylether, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl-2′,3′-dimercaptopropylether, 2,6-dimethyloctane-2,6-dithiol, 2,6-dimethyloctane-3,7-dithiol, 2,4-dimethylbenzene-1,3-dithiol, 4,5-dimethylbenzene-1,3-dithiol, 3,3-dimethylbutane-2,2-dithiol, 2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-dithiol, 1,3-di(4-methoxy-phenyl)propane-2,2-dithiol, 3,4-dimethoxybutane-1,2-dithiol, 10,11-dimercaptoundecanoic acid, 6,8-dimercapto-octanoic acid, 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole, 2,2′-dimercapto-biphenyl, 4,4′-dimercaptobiphenyl, 4,4′-dimercaptobibenzyl, 3,4-dimercaptobutanol, 3,4-dimercaptobutylacetate, 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol, 1,2-dimercapto-1,3-butanediol, 2,3-dimercaptopropionic acid, 1,2-dimercaptopropylmethylether, 2,3-dimercaptopropyl-2′,3′-dimethoxypropylether, 3,4-thiophenedithiol, 1,10-decanedithiol, 1,12-dodecanedithiol, 3,5,5-trimethyl-hexane-1,1-dithiol, 2,5-toluenedithiol, 3,4-toluenedithiol, 1,4-naphthalenedithiol, 1,5-naphthalenedithiol, 2,6-naphthalenedithiol, 1,9-nonanedithiol, norbornene-2,3-dithiol, bis(2-mercaptoisopropyl)ether, bis(11-mercaptoundecyl)sulfide, bis(2-mercaptoethyl)ether, bis(2-mercaptoethyl)sulfide, bis(18-mercatooctadecyl)sulfide, bis(8-mercaptooctyl)sulfide, bis(12-mercaptodecyl)sulfide, bis(9-mercaptononyl)sulfide, bis(4-mercaptobutyl)sulfide, bis(3-mercaptopropyl)ether, bis(3-mercaptopropyl)sulfide, bis(6-mercaptohexyl)sulfide, bis(7-mercaptoheptyl)sulfide, bis(5-mercaptopentyl)sulfide, 2,2′-bis(mercaptomethyl)acetic acid, 1,1-bis(mercaptomethyl)cyclohexane, bis(mercaptomethyl)durene, phenylmethane-1,1-dithiol, 1,2-butane-dithiol, 1,4-butanedithiol, 2,3-butanedithiol, 2,2-butanedithiol, 1,2-propanedithiol, 1,3-propanedithiol, 2,2-propanedithiol, 1,2-hexanedithiol, 1,6-hexanedithiol, 2,5-hexanedithiol, 1,7-heptanedithiol, 2,6-heptanedithiol, 1,5-pentanedithiol, 2,4-pentanedithiol, 3,3-pentanedithiol, 7,8-heptadecanedithiol, 1,2-benzenedithiol, 1,3-benzenedithiol, 1,4-benzenedithiol, 2-methylcyclohexane-1,1-dithiol, 2-methylbutane-2,3-dithiol, ethyleneglycol dithioglycolate, ethylene glycol bis(3-mercaptopropionate). The trithiols may include 1,2,3-propanetrithiol, 1,2,4-butanetrithiol, trimethylolpropanetrithiol glycolate, trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate), pentaerythritol trithioglycolate, pentaerythritol tris(3-mercaptopropionate), 1,3,5-benzenetrithiol and 2,4,6-mesitylenetrithiol.

The polythiols useful in the compositions of the present invention may further include neopentane tetrathiol, 2,2′-bis-(mercaptomethyl)-1,3-propanedithiol, pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate), pentaerythritol tetrakis(thioglycolate), 1,3,5-benzenetrithiol, 2,4,6-toluenetrithiol, 2,4,6-methylenetrithiol and the polythiols of the following formulae:

and 4-mercaptomethyl-3,6-dithia-1,8-octanedithiol.

The preferred polythiols according to the present invention are ethyleneglycol bis(thioglycolate), trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate), pentaerythritol tetrakis thiopropionate (PETP), 4-mercaptomethyl-3,6-dithia-1,8-octanedithiol (MDO), bis(2-mercaptoethyl)sulfide (DMDS) and pentaerythritol tetrakis thioglycolate (PETG).

Preferably, said additional polymerizable monomers represent 25 to 50% by weight based on the total weight of polymerizable monomers present in the composition.

The polymerizable compositions according to the invention may also include conventionally used additives in polymerizable compositions for moulding optical items, more particularly spectacle glasses, in the conventional proportions, namely inhibitors, dyes, UV absorbers, perfumes, deodorants, antioxidants and anti-yellowing additives.

More particularly, the anti-yellowing agents such as those disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,442,022, 5,545,828, 5,702,825 and 5,741,831 may be used.

The preferred anti-yellowing agent is 3-methyl 2-butene 1-ol (MBOL).

Triphenylphosphine (TPP) and Irganox® 1010 (pentaerythritol-tetrakis[3(3,5-di-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] (CG 1010) may be mentioned as preferred examples of antioxidant agents.

Perfumes make it possible to hide the smell from the compositions, more particularly in surfacing operations.

The polymerizable compositions according to the invention may be thermal and/or UV curable compositions. Therefore, the compositions generally include at least one polymerization initiator selected from photoinitiators, thermal initiators and mixtures thereof, preferably in a proportion of 0.001% to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the polymerizable monomers present in the composition.

The photoinitiators useful in the polymerizable compositions according to the invention may include more particularly 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyldiphenyl-phosphine oxide (TPO), 1-hydroxycyclo-hexylphenylketone, 2,2-dimethoxy-1,2-diphenylethane 1-one, alkylbenzoylethers, the commercially available photoinitiator from Ciba-Geigy Corporation under the tradename CGI 1700, which is a 25/75 mixture of a compound of the formula:

and a compound of the formula:

and the CGI 1850 photoinitiator commercially available from Ciba Geigy Corporation, which is a 50/50 mixture (by weight) of compound E and Irgacure® 184 of the formula:

Another preferred photoinitiator is CGI 819 from Ciba Geigy Corporation of the formula:

Other photoinitiators of the same type may also be used, such as that of the formula:

The thermal polymerization initiators are compounds which are well known in the art and may include peroxides, such as benzoyl peroxide, cyclohexyl peroxydicarbonate, isopropyl peroxydicarbonate and tert-butylperoxy(2-ethyl hexanoate).

The polymerization can be effected with or without a polymerization catalyst. Catalyst may be any known catalyst for the polymerization of the monomer.

Among the useful catalysts, there may be cited dimethyltindichloride, dibutyltindichloride and dibutyltindilaurate. Cocatalysts or promoters such as N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine and 1,4-diazabicyclo-[2,2,2]-octane (DABCO) could also be used with the catalyst to enhance its activity.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article obtained by thermal and/or UV cure of a polymerizable composition as described above. Said article may be an ophthalmic lens.

Another object of the invention is to provide a process for making said thiophosphine compound of formula (I).

The process will be described in detail for a thiophosphine compound of formula (I) wherein y=1, X being in para position with regard to phosphorus.

When X represents —SH, said process may comprises the following steps:

-   -   a) reacting in the presence of a catalyst a component A of         formula:         in which R′, n′ and x are as defined above with a component B of         formula:     -   in which R and n are as previously defined and G is a blocking         radical of the SH function, the molar ratio of components A to B         being     -   1/3 when x=0     -   1/2 when x=1, and     -   1/1 when x=2;     -   b) isolating from step a) a first intermediate compound C of         formula:     -   c) reacting compound C with elemental sulfur;     -   d) isolating from step c) an intermediate compound D of formula     -   e) reacting intermediate compound D with an alkaline thiolate in         a solvent under reflux; and     -   f) isolating from step e) a thiophosphine monomer of formula         (I).     -   G may be any known radical used as a blocking radical of the SH         function.     -   Preferably G is CH₃.     -   Preferably the thiolate is sodium 2-methyl-2-propane thiolate.     -   Preferably the catalyst of step a) is n-butyl lithium.

Another process for making a thiophosphine monomer wherein y=1, X is in para position with regard to phosphorus and represents —SH, and wherein x=0 may comprises the following steps:

-   -   a) reacting in the presence of a catalyst a component A′ of         formula:     -   with a component B of formula:     -   in a molar ratio A′/B equal to 1/3, where R, n and G are as         defined above;     -   b) isolating from step a) an intermediate compound of formula         D′:     -   c) reacting intermediate compound D′ with an alkaline thiolate         in a solvent under reflux; and     -   d) isolating from step c) a thiophosphine monomer of formula:         -   where R and n are as defined above.     -   G may be any known radical used as a blocking radical of the SH         function.     -   Preferably, G is CH₃.     -   Preferably, the thiolate is sodium 2-methyl-2-propane thiolate.     -   Preferably, the catalyst is n-butyl lithium.

The present invention will now be described more in details in the following examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following examples are included to demonstrate preferred embodiments of the invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the techniques disclosed in the examples which follow represent techniques discovered by the inventor to function well in the practice of the invention, and thus can be considered to constitute preferred modes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments which are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Synthesis of tris(4-thiophenyl)phosphine sulphide

Tris(4-thiophenyl)phosphine sulphide is prepared using the process according to the invention.

a) Preparation of tris(4-thioanisyl)phosphine

A cooled solution of 4-bromothioanisole (190.8 g; 0.94 mol) and anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (750 ml) under nitrogen was treated dropwise with 2.5 M n-Butyllithium (375 ml; 0.94 mol) in tetrahydrofuran. The cooled mixture was then treated dropwise with a solution of phosphorus trichloride (39.0 g; 0.28 mol) and anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (100 ml). The resulting mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and left to stir for 52 hours. The reaction was quenched with water (500 ml) and extracted with diethyl ether. The combined extracts were dried with magnesium sulphate, filtered and evaporated to dryness to give a pasty yellow solid. Trituration with ethanol yielded tris(4-thioanisyl)phosphine (V) as a white solid (33.8 g; 30% yield).

b) Preparation of tris(4-thioanisyl)phosphine sulphide

A stirred solution of tris(4-thioanisyl)phosphine (30.2 g; 0.075 mol), elemental sulphur (2.4 g; 0.075 mol) and anhydrous toluene (850 ml) under nitrogen was heated at reflux for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness and the resulting solid triturated with ethanol to give tris(4-thioanisyl) phosphine sulphide (VI) as a white solid (26.1 g; 80% yield).

Compound of formula (VI) can also be obtained by the following process.

A cooled solution of 4-bromothioanisole (10.0 g; 0.049 mol) and anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (50 ml) under nitrogen was treated dropwise with 2.5 M n-Butyllithium (20 ml; 0.05 mol) in tetrahydrofuran. The cooled mixture was then treated dropwise with a solution of thiophosphoryl chloride (2.78 g; 0.016 mol) and anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (5 ml). The resulting mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and left to stir for 20 hours. The reaction was quenched with water and extracted with diethyl ether. The combined extracts were dried with magnesium sulphate, filtered and evaporated to dryness to give tris(4-thioanisyl)phosphine sulphide as a pale yellow solid (1.64 g; 23% yield).

c) Preparation of tris(4-thiophenyl)phosphine sulphide

A stirred solution of tris(4-thioanisyl)phosphine sulphide (10.0 g; 0.023 mol), sodium 2-methyl-2-propanethiolate (15.56 g; 0.139 mol) and anhydrous DMF (150 ml) under nitrogen was heated under reflux for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0° C. and treated with 3M HCl (50 ml) to precipitate a white solid. The solid was dissolved in dichloromethane and washed several times with water. The dichloromethane solution was dried, filtered and evaporated to afford tris(4-thiophenyl)phosphine sulphide (VII) as a white solid (5.87 g; 65% yield).

EXAMPLE 2 Synthesis of bis(4-thiophenyl)phenylphosphine sulphide

Bis(4-thiophenyl)phenylphosphine sulphide is prepared using the process according to the invention.

a) Preparation of bis(4-thioanisyl)phenyl Phosphine

A cooled solution of 4-bromothioanisole (160.0 g; 0.784 mol) and anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (500 ml) under nitrogen was treated dropwise with 2.5 M n-Butyllithium (313.6 ml; 0.784 mol) in tetrahydrofuran. The cooled mixture was treated dropwise with a solution of dichlorophenylphosphine (53.28 ml; 0.392 mol) and anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (100 ml). The resulting mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and left to stir for 48 hours. The turbid reaction mixture was quenched with water and extracted several times with diethyl ether. The combined extracts were dried with magnesium sulphate, filtered and evaporated to dryness to give a pasty yellow solid. Trituration with ethanol yielded bis(4-thioanisyl)phenyl phosphine (VIII) as a white solid (89.3 g; 63% yield).

b) Preparation of bis(4-thioanisyl)phenylphosphine sulphide

A stirred solution of bis(4-thioanisyl)phenylphosphine (25.0 g; 0.071 mol), elemental sulphur (2.3 g; 0.070 mol) and anhydrous toluene (500 ml) under nitrogen was heated at reflux for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness and the resulting solid triturated with ethanol to give bis(4-thioanisyl)phenylphosphine sulphide (IX) as a white solid (17.2 g; 71% yield).

c) Preparation of bis(4-thiophenyl)phenylphosphine sulphide

A stirred solution of bis(4-thioanisyl)phenylphosphine sulphide (4.28 g; 0.011 mol), sodium 2-methyl-2-propanethiolate (4.97 g; 0.044 mol) and anhydrous DMF (50 ml) under nitrogen was heated under reflux for 21 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0° C. and treated with 3M HCl to precipitate a white solid. Trituration with diethyl ether gave bis(4-thiophenyl)phenylphosphine sulphide (X) as a white solid (3.14 g; 79% yield).

EXAMPLE 3 Synthesis of bisphenyl-4-thiophenylphosphine sulphide

Bisphenyl-4-thiophenylphosphine sulphide is prepared using the process according to the invention.

a) Preparation of bisphenyl-4-thioanisylphosphine

A cooled solution of 4-bromothioanisole (10.2 g; 0.05 mol) and anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (50 ml) under nitrogen was treated dropwise with 2.5 M n-Butyllithium (19.92 ml; 0.05 mol) in tetrahydrofuran. The cooled mixture was then treated dropwise with a solution of chlorodiphenylphospine (10.0 g; 0.045 mol) and anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (10 ml). The resulting mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and left to stir for 55 hours. The reaction was quenched with water (500 ml) and extracted with diethyl ether. The combined extracts were dried with magnesium sulphate, filtered and evaporated to dryness to give a yellow solid. Recrystallisation from butanol afforded bisphenyl-4-thioanisylphosphine (XI) as a white solid (3.26 g; 23%).

b) Preparation of bisphenyl-4-thioanisylphosphine sulphide

A stirred solution of bisphenyl-4-thioanisylphosphine (1.84 g; 0.006 mol), elemental sulphur (0.20 g; 0.006 mol) and anhydrous toluene (35 ml) under nitrogen was heated at reflux for 6 hours. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness and the resulting pale yellow solid triturated with ethanol to bisphenyl-4-thioanisylphosphine sulphide (XII) as a white solid (2.00 g; 98% yield).

c) Preparation of bisphenyl-4-thiophenylphosphine sulphide

A stirred solution of bisphenyl-4-thioanisylphosphine sulphide (1.73 g; 0.005 mol), sodium 2-methyl-2-propanethiolate (1.14 g; 0.010 mol) and anhydrous DMF (50 ml) under nitrogen was heated under reflux for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0° C. and acidified to pH 1 with 3M HCl and extracted with dichloromethane and the extract washed with a further quantity of 3M HCl (50 ml). The dichloromethane extract was dried, filtered and evaporated to give a wet brown solid which was triturated with ethanol to give crude tris(4-thiolphenyl)phosphine sulphide as a yellow solid (1.10 g; 66% yield). The crude solid was chromatographed over silica (CHCl₃) and the resulting material recrystallised from ethanol to give tris(4-thiophenyl)phosphine sulphide (formula XIII) as a yellow solid.

EXAMPLES 4, 5 AND 6 Articles Obtained from Polymerizable Compositions

1. Preparation of the Polymerizable Compositions

Two compositions of polymerizable monomers according to the invention and one comparative composition have been formulated by mixing the monomers indicated in table I hereunder. TABLE I Example 4 (comparative) Example 5 Example 6 TTPPS % (1) 0 4 8 MonY 12.135 11.444 11.867 TTPPS 1.044 2.337 MonX 13.415 13.43 14.792 Catalyst solution 0.209 0.224 0.249 (1% in monY) (1) % by weight with regard to total weight TTPPS + MonY + MonX The quantities of MonY, TTPPS, MonX and catalyst solution are given in parts by weight.

-   TTPPS: (4-thiophenyl)phosphine sulphide -   MonY: 4-mercaptomethyl-3,6-dithia-1,8-octanedithiol -   MonX: dimethylphenylene diisocyanate -   Catalyst: dibutyl tin dilaurate

The catalyst solution is made at room temperature. TTPPS is dissolved in Mon Y. After about 30 minutes, this becomes an emulsion. Mon X is then added. The emulsion clears up in 5 to 10 minutes.

The solution obtained is then allowed to degas. The more TTPPS is present, the more degassing is needed.

2) Casting Process

The compositions prepared as above mentioned are cast into moulds made of two mineral glass mould parts.

The composition is cured by heating.

The features of the resulting subtrates are indicated in Table II. TABLE II Example 4 (comparative) Example 5 Example 6 % TTPPS 0.0 4.0 8.0 Center Thickness (mm) 2.02 1.95 2.28 Barcol 92.2 92.8 92.6 Microhardness (N/mm²) 223.3 223.6 228.7 0.5% T UV Cut (nm) 293 344 356 1.0% T UV Cut (nm) 295 347 358 Tg (° C.) (DSC) 90.3 94.0 99.7 max tg(δ) (° C.) (DMA) 102.2 100.8 110.1 E′ × 10⁻⁹ at 25° C. (Pa) 3.06 3.48 3.02 E′ × 10⁻⁹ at 100° C. (Pa) 0.10 0.18 0.59 n_(d) 1.66017 1.66446 1.66756 n_(e) 1.66509 1.66964 1.67296 ν_(d) 32 31 30 ν_(e) 32 31 29

Barcol test: The Barcol hardness of the lens is measured by using a Barcol impressor according to ASTM D 2583-93.

UV cut (nm) is the wavelength for which there is 0.5% or 1.0% transmission.

E′, Tg and Max tg (δ) measurement, δ being the loss angle, is done using DMA (dynamic mechanical analysis). Such analysis can be performed on a planar 5.2×1×2 cm (thickness) sample, in a point 3 bending with a Rheometrics Solid Analyzer RSA II apparatus, at a 1 Hz frequency and in a temperature range of −50° C. to 170° C. at 2° C./minute.

Max tg (δ) corresponds to the temperature for the ratio maximum: E″ (loss modulus)/E′ (conservation modulus).

The refractive index n_(e) (λ=546 nm), n_(d) (λ=589 nm) and the Abbe numbers ν_(e), ν_(d) are determined at 25° C.

Conclusion

The incorporation of TTPPS in compositions 2 and 3 resulted in an increase of the UV cut, as well as Tg, Max tg(δ), E′ at 100° C. and refractive index.

EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of a Polymer from a Polymerizable Composition According to the Invention

BTPPS (0,45 g, 0,0025 moles) was dissolved in dimethylformamide (2 ml) at 80° C. The solution was cooled and MonX (0,216 g, 0,002 moles) was added and stirred at 50° C. for 3,5 hours. Polymer molecular weight was determined using Gel permeation chromatography using polystyrene standards. Polymer had a molecular weight of 4000.

All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, it will be apparent that certain agents which are both chemically and physiologically related may be substituted for the agents described herein while the same or similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A polymerizable composition comprising: a) at least one first polymerizable component further defined as a monomer having at least two functional groups, the functional groups further defined as cyanato, isocyanato, thiocyanato, isothiocyanato, (meth)acryloyl, thio(meth)acryloyl, and/or episulfide radicals, and b) at least one second polymerizable component further defined as: i) thiophosphine monomers of formula:

wherein X represents with R₁

 being H or —CH₃, R and R′ represent, independently from each other, an alkyl radical, an alkoxy radical or a phenyl radical which may be substituted with one or more alkyl and/or alkoxy groups, n is an integer from 0 to 4, n′ is an integer from 0 to 5, x is an integer from 0 to 2; and y is an integer from 1 to 5 with the proviso that y+n is an integer from 1 to 5; or ii) prepolymers resulting from the polymerization of at least one of said thiophosphine monomers of formula (I) and at least one of said first polymerizable component.
 2. The polymerizable composition of claim 1, wherein the at least second polymerizable component is a prepolymer resulting from the polymerization of at least one of said thiophosphine monomers of formula (I) and at least one of said first polymerizable component, and having a number average molecular weight ranging from 1,000 to 10,000.
 3. The polymerizable composition of claim 1, wherein y=1.
 4. The polymerizable composition of claim 1, wherein n and n′ are equal to
 0. 5. The polymerizable composition of claim 1, wherein X represents —SH.
 6. The polymerizable composition of claim 1, wherein the alkyl radicals and alkoxy radicals are respectively C₁-C₆ alkyl radicals and C₁-C₆ alkoxy radicals.
 7. The polymerizable composition of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional polymerizable monomers different from first and second components.
 8. The polymerizable composition of claim 7, wherein the additional monomers are polythiols.
 9. The polymerizable composition of claim 1, wherein the first polymerizable monomers are polycyanate, polyisocyanate, polythiocyanate, polyisothiocyanate, poly(meth)acrylate, polythio(meth)acrylate, and/or polyepisulfide monomers.
 10. The polymerizable composition of claim 9, wherein the polyisocyanate and polyisothiocyanate monomers are monomers of formulae:

wherein: R₂ is independently H or a C₁-C₅ alkyl group; R₃ is H, a halogen or a C₁-C₅ alkyl group; Z is —N═C═A where A is O or S; a is an integer ranging from 1 to 4, b is an integer ranging from 2 to 4 and a+b≦6; and c is an integer from 1 to
 10. 11. The polymerizable composition of claim 10, wherein c is an integer from 1 to
 6. 12. The polymerizable composition of claim 10, wherein the polyisocyanate or isothiocyanate monomers are tolylene diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, phenylene, diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, ethylphenylene diisocyanate, isopropyl phenylene diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, dimethylphenylene diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, diethylphenylne diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, trimethylbenzyl triisocyanate or triisothiocyanate, xylylene diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, benzyl triiso(thio)cyanate, 4,4′-diphenyl methane diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, napthalene diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, bis(isocyanate or isothiocyanate methyl)cyclohexane, hexamethylene diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate, or dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate or diisothiocyanate.
 13. The polymerizable composition of claim 9, wherein the poly(meth)acrylate monomers are alkyleneglycol di(meth)acrylates, polyalkyleneglycol di(meth)acrylates, neopentylglycol di(meth)acrylate, or derivates of bisphenol-A di(meth)acrylates.
 14. The polymerizable composition of claim 9, wherein the polythio(meth)acrylate monomers are the compounds of the formula:

wherein R₄ is a linear or branched, polyvalent aliphatic hydrocarbon radical, or a polyvalent aromatic group, directly linked to the sulfur atom of the thio(meth)acrylate groups with an aromatic ring or by means of a linear alkyl chain, R₁ is hydrogen or —CH₃, and k is an integer from 2 to
 6. 15. The polymerizable composition of claim 14, wherein R₄ is a radical comprising in its chain one or more —O—, —S—, and/or carbonyl group.
 16. The polymerizable composition of claim 14, wherein the polythio(meth)acrylate monomers are monomers of the formula:

wherein Y is a linear or branched C₂-C₁₂ alkylene group, a C₃-C₁₂ cycloalkylene group, a C₆-C₁₄ arylene group or a C₇-C₂₆ alkarylene group, the carbon chains of Y can be interrupted by one or more oxygen and/or sulphur atoms and R₁ is hydrogen or a methyl group; and/or monomers of the formula:

wherein R₁ and Y are defined as above, and k′ is an integer from 1 to
 10. 17. The polymerizable composition of claim 1, wherein the prepolymers result from the polymerization of at least one of said thiophoshine monomer of formula (I) and at least one of said first polymerizable component further defined as a dicyanate, dithiocyanate, diisothiocyanate, diisocyanate, di(meth)acrylate, dithio(meth)acrylate or diepisulfide monomer.
 18. The polymerizable composition of claim 8, wherein the polythiols are monomers of the formula R′(SH)_(n″), wherein R″ is an aliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic radical and n″ is an integer of 2 or more.
 19. The polymerizable composition of claim 18, wherein the polythiols are ethyleneglycol bis(thioglycolate), trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate), pentaerythritol tetrakis thiopropionate (PETP), 4-mercaptomethyl-3,6-dithia-1,8-octanedithiol (MDO), bis(2-mercaptoethyl)sulfide (DMDS) and/or pentaerythritol tetrakis thioglycolate (PETG).
 20. The polymerizable composition of claim 1, wherein the thiosphosphine monomers represent 1 to 25% by weight based on the total weight of the polymerizable monomers present in the composition.
 21. The polymerizable composition of claim 20, wherein the thiosphosphine monomers represent 1 to 10% by weight based on the total weight of the polymerizable monomers present in the composition.
 22. The polymerizable composition of claim 1, wherein the first polymerizable monomers represent 25 to 70% by weight based on the total weight of the polymerizable monomers present in the composition.
 23. The polymerizable composition of claim 22, wherein the first polymerizable monomers represent 30 to 50% by weight based on the total weight of the polymerizable monomers present in the composition.
 24. The polymerizable composition of claim 1, wherein the prepolymers represent up to 40% by weight based on the total weight of the polymerizable monomers present in the composition.
 25. The polymerizable composition of claim 7, wherein the additional polymerizable monomers represent 25 to 50% by weight based of the total weight of polymerizable monomers present in the composition.
 26. The polymerizable composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is a thermal and/or UV curable composition.
 27. The polymerizable composition of claim 26, wherein the composition comprises at least one polymerization initiator further defined as a photoinitiator or a thermal initiator.
 28. The polymerizable composition of claim 27, wherein the at least one polymerization initiator is further defined as a photoinitiator or a thermal initiator in a proportion of 0.001% to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the polymerizable monomers present in the composition.
 29. An article obtained by thermal and/or UV cure of a composition as set forth in claim
 1. 30. The article of claim 29, further defined as an ophthalmic lens.
 31. A thiosphosphine compound of formula:

wherein X represents SH or with R₁ being H or —CH₃,

 R and R′ represent, independently from each other, an alkyl radical, an alkoxy radical, an aryl radical or a phenyl radical which may be substituted with one or more alkyl and/or alkoxy groups, n is an integer from 0 to 4, n′ is an integer from 0 to 5, x is an integer from 0 to 2, y is an integer from 1 to 5 with the proviso that y+n is an integer from 1 to
 5. 32. The thiophosphine compound of claim 31, wherein y=1.
 33. The thiophosphine compound of claim 31, wherein n and n′ are equal to zero.
 34. The thiophosphine compound of claim 31, wherein X represents —SH.
 35. The thiophosphine compound of claim 34 having the formulae:


36. A process for making the thiophosphine compound of claim 31, wherein y=1, X is in para position with regard to phosphorus and represents —SH, which comprises the following steps: a) reacting in the presence of a catalyst a component A of formula:

in which R′, n′ and x are defined as in claim 31 with a component B of formula:

in which R and n are defined as in claim 31 and G is a blocking radical of the SH function, the molar ratio of components A to B being: 1/3 when x=0 1/2 when x=1, and 1/1 when x=2; b) isolating from step a) a first intermediate compound C of formula:

c) reacting compound C with elemental sulphur; d) isolating from step c) an intermediate compound D of formula:

e) reacting intermediate compound D with an alkaline thiolate in a solvent under reflux; and f) isolating from step e) a thiophosphine monomer of formula (I).
 37. The process of claim 36, wherein n=n′=0.
 38. The process of claim 36, wherein G is CH₃.
 39. The process of claim 36, wherein the thiolate is sodium 2-methyl-2-propane thiolate.
 40. The process of claim 36, wherein the catalyst of step a) is n-butyl lithium.
 41. A process for making a thiophosphine monomer as set forth in claim 31, wherein x=0, y=1 and wherein X is in para position with regard to phosphorus and represents —SH, which comprises the following steps: a) reacting in the presence of a catalyst, a component A′ of formula:

with a component B of formula:

in a molar ratio A′/B equal to 1/3, where R, n and G are defined as in claim 36; b) isolating from step a) an intermediate compound of formula D′:

c) reacting intermediate compound D′ with an alkaline thiolate in a solvent under reflux; and d) isolating from step c) a thiophosphine monomer of formula:

where R and n are defined as in claim
 31. 42. The process of claim 41, wherein n is zero.
 43. The process of claim 41, wherein G is CH₃.
 44. The process of claim 41, wherein the thiolate is sodium 2-methyl-2-propane thiolate.
 45. The process of claim 41, wherein the catalyst is n-butyl lithium.
 46. A prepolymer resulting from the polymerization of at least one thiosphosphine monomer as set forth in claim 1 and at least one first polymerizable component as set forth in claim 1 and having a number average molecular weight ranging from 1,000 to 10,000.
 47. A prepolymer of claim 46, wherein first polymerizable components are dicyanate, dithiocyanate, diisocyanate, diisothiocyanate, di(meth)acrylate, dithio(meth)acrylate or diepisulfide monomers. 